Brooklyn U.S. Rep. Dan Goldman hosts first-ever ‘Bagel Caucus’

Bagels and schmears brought from several Brooklyn stores

February 9, 2023 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10), holding a bagel among politicans and staff, who are also enjoying bagels. Photo courtesy of the Office of Dan Goldman

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Brooklyn-based U.S. Rep. Dan Goldman has launched a new House caucus with a vital function, introducing lawmakers from less-lucky states to proper New York bagels.

Goldman’s new “bagel caucus,” held its inaugural summit at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, and featured bagels, lox and schmears imported from the nation’s true capitol on days when Goldman, known to be a Russ and Daughters man, travels from NYC to D.C., and has no other known legislative priorities, reports Punchbowl News.

“At the inaugural meeting of the House Bagel Caucus, my office was delighted to showcase some of NY10’s most beloved small businesses,” Goldman said.

“We’re extremely proud to be the home of the world’s best bagels and were thrilled to spread the bagel love to our friends from around the country.”

Goldman’s office put forth statements on Thursday, suggesting that “New York 10 is inarguably the Coolest Congressional District in the Country™” and is home to elite culinary sites featuring food from around the world.

“From Chinatown to Boro Park Brooklyn Heights to the Lower East Side to the West Village, it’s hard to go wrong if you are eating in the district,” wrote Goldman.

“And NY-10 is, of course, extremely proud to be home of the world’s best bagels.”

The Bagel Caucus in Washington D.C. Photo courtesy of the Office of Dan Goldman

Goldman was delighted to showcase some of NY-10’s most beloved small businesses with the first meeting of the Bagel Caucus.

The menu featured at the genesis of the Bagel Caucus included five bagel shops across NY-10 and an assortment of schmears and other delicious items, including kosher bagels; zaatar, walnut and lox schmear; white fish salad; and of course, world renowned lox from Russ & Daughters:

Davidovich Bakery:

Gene Davidovich delighted in the robust aromas of baked bread. They wafted from his Grandma Zoya’s Ukrainian kitchen, where Mr. Davidovich eagerly observed old-fashioned preparation methods and tasted generations-old recipes. When he immigrated to America in 1980, he had a dream of one day having a bakery that would delight people with the quality of their products. That’s how Davidovich Bakery was founded in 1998 and it has been a family business since.

Kossar’s Bagels & Bialys:

Kossar’s is the oldest operating bialy bakery in the United States, its tradition of excellence born in 1936 in the historically Jewish Lower East Side of Manhattan where it remains today. For over 85 years, they have been serving the iconic Lower East Side of Manhattan (and the finest-quality, old-world, and specialty-baked goods).

Olde Brooklyn Bagel Shoppe:

Olde Brooklyn Bagel Shoppe is a neighborhood mainstay and has been serving delicious bagels to the Prospect Heights, Brooklyn community for over a decade. Their bagels are hand-rolled, kettle boiled, and baked on premises – made the Olde fashioned way. Do not miss their Zaatar bagels!

Russ & Daughters:

Joel Russ, a Jewish immigrant from Strzyzow, Poland, sold herring from a pushcart one the Lower East Side of New York before opening the now world-renowned bagel shop at its current location on 179 East Houston Street in 1920. Joel Russ named the business “Russ & Daughters,” after his three daughters, Hattie, Ida and Anne. It is the first known American business with “& Daughters” in its name.

Shelsky’s of Brooklyn:

Born and bred New Yorker Peter Shelsky grew up on Kossar’s bialys and Zabar’s hand-sliced Nova, eventually working in the kitchens of Eleven Madison Park, Café Sabarsky, and Wallse. Tuned into both professional chef culture and the flavors of his own Eastern European and Jewish roots, he partnered with Lewis Spada, a Brooklynite and 20-year FOH veteran of Fish Tales, Cobble Hill’s local seafood market, to open Shelsky’s of Brooklyn. Together, the duo brings their talent and charisma to the non-traditional Appetizing and Delicatessen shop that aims to revive “an old tradition that never really died.”